Heel of a Shoe

ABSTRACT

Shoe heels with very thin titanium or aluminum alloy wires can achieve exotic visual effect, sophisticated variation in design and style, high strength, durable quality, lightweight and corrosion resistance. The heels comprise a first portion configured to join an outsole of the shoe, a second portion configured to support the shoe on the ground when the shoe is worn by a wearer, and a supporting structure joining the first portion to the second portion; wherein the supporting structure comprises one or more supporting wires; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the first portion and at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the second portion; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof.

BACKGROUND

A heel is used to support a shoe that bears the weight of a wearer, to improve the balance of the shoe, to increase the height of the wearer, and to alter the wearer's posture or display decorative and ornamental features. A heel can be produced in various shapes and styles. Some styles of a heel may include kitten heels, stiletto heels, spool heels, wedge heels and platform heels. A kitten heel, sometimes called a short stiletto, is generally a short and slender heel from 3.5 centimeters to 4.75 centimeters high with a slight curve. A stiletto heel is generally a long, thin, high heel from 2.5 centimeters to 24 centimeters or more. A stiletto heel is often found on women's boots and shoes. A real stiletto heel has a solid stem, and the more commonly mass-produced high heels are molded plastic with an internal metal tube for reinforcement. A spool heel is a heel that is wide at the top and bottom and narrower in the middle. A wedge heel is in the form of a wedge so that one piece of material, normally rubber, serves as both the sole and the heel. A platform heel has a thick sole at least four inches in height throughout the bottom of a shoe. Platform shoes are often made of cork, plastic, rubber, or wood.

Titanium (Ti) alloys are alloys that contain a mixture of titanium and other chemical elements. Titanium alloys have very high tensile strength and toughness even at extreme temperatures, extraordinary corrosion resistance, and are light in weight. The applications of titanium alloys are generally limited to military use, in aircraft, spacecraft, medical devices, connecting rods on expensive sports cars and some premium sports equipment and consumer electronics.

Aluminum (Al) alloys are alloys that contain a mixture of aluminum and other alloying elements such as copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc. Aluminum alloys are widely used in engineering structures and components, aircraft, machineries, etc., where lightweight, strength and corrosion resistance are required.

Shoe heels currently available on the market often include solid structures of slender stiletto, wedge, spool or platform shape. Such solid heels do not afford much flexibility and variation in decoration and design. Raw materials for the manufacture of heels include plastic, leather, wood, fabric, animal hides, paper, and various cements and glues, depending on the component materials. Fabric and feathers, tree branches and sequins, faux pearls, and genuine diamonds have all been used to decorate high heels. Heels made from these materials are not of very high strength and durable quality.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a heel of a shoe, comprising a first portion configured to join an outsole of the shoe, a second portion configured to support the shoe on the ground when the shoe is worn by a wearer, and a supporting structure joining the first portion to the second portion, the supporting structure comprising one or more supporting wires; wherein the one or more supporting wires comprise one or more ends; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the first portion and at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the second portion; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the titanium alloy is selected from a group consisting of Ti-6Al-2Nb-1Ta, Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V, Ti-6Al-4V and a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the aluminum alloy is selected from a group consisting of 2014 aluminum alloy, 2024 aluminum alloy, 2214 aluminum alloy, 2618 aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum alloy, 7175 aluminum alloy and a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the tensile strength of the titanium alloy or the aluminum alloy exceeds 500 MPa.

According to an embodiment of the heel, at least one portion of at least one of the one or more wires directly joins another portion of the at least one of the one or more supporting wires.

According to an embodiment of the heel, at least one portion of at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins another of the one or more supporting wires.

According to an embodiment of the heel, at least one of the one or more supporting wires is not in direct contact with any other of the one or more supporting wires at any point.

According to an embodiment of the heel, at least one of the one or more supporting wires does not directly contact the first portion or the second portion.

According to an embodiment of the heel, at least one of the one or more supporting wires comprises a branch, a circle, a semi-circle, a loop, a semi-loop, a spiral, a knot, or a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the supporting structure has a symmetry. Preferably, the symmetry is a reflection symmetry or a rotational symmetry.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the first portion or the second portion comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the first portion, the second portion and the supporting structure are welded together.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the first portion comprises a loop or a plate.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the second portion comprises a loop, a frustum, or a plate. Preferably, the plate is a round plate.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the heel comprises a setting configured to receive one or more stones, gems, beads, or a combination thereof.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the heel comprises surface treatment or coating for color, finish, decoration, reflectivity, improved hardness, resistance to damage and wear, or prevention of corrosion.

According to an embodiment of the heel, a plurality of supporting wires of the supporting structure directly join with the first portion at a first plurality of joining positions, and directly join with the second portion at a second plurality of joining positions. Preferably, the first plurality of joining positions are essentially symmetrically distributed on the first portion; the second plurality of joining positions are essentially symmetrically distributed on the second portion. In an embodiment, the plurality of supporting wires are not in contact.

According to an embodiment of the heel, a first supporting wire and a second supporting wire of the one or more supporting wires are intertwined.

According to an embodiment of the heel, a diameter of one of the one or more supporting wires is substantially uniform.

According to an embodiment of the heel, a diameter of each of the one or more supporting wires is substantially uniform.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the supporting structure is a hollow structure.

According to an embodiment of the heel, an overall contour of the supporting structure of the supporting wires of the heel may be in the shape of a kitten heel, a stiletto heels, a spool heels, a wedge heels or a platform heel, etc.

According to an embodiment of the heel, the overall height of the heel may be from about 1 centimeter to about 25 centimeters.

According to an embodiment, a shoe comprising aforementioned heel may further comprise a shoe upper, an outsole secured to the shoe upper and joined to the heel, an innersole layered above the outsole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a heel of a shoe according to an embodiment; FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of the heel; FIG. 1B shows a front view of the heel; FIG. 1C shows a rear view of the heel; FIG. 1D shows a left side view of the heel; a right side view is a mirror image of the left side view and is not separately depicted; FIG. 1E shows a top view of the heel; FIG. 1F shows a bottom view of the heel.

FIG. 2 shows a heel of a shoe according to an embodiment; FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the heel; FIG. 2B shows a front view of the heel; FIG. 2C shows a rear view of the heel; FIG. 2D shows a left side view of the heel; a right side view is a mirror image of the left side view and is not separately depicted; FIG. 2E shows a top view of the heel; FIG. 2F shows a bottom view of the heel.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a shoe comprising the heel according to an embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows an explosion view of a shoe comprising the heel according to an embodiment in FIG. 1

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a shoe comprising the heel according to an embodiment in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 shows an explosion view of a shoe comprising the heel according to an embodiment in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to the field of shoe heels for use in connection with various types of footwear. In particular, the disclosure relates to shoe heels that comprise hollow supporting structures of titanium alloy or aluminum alloy supporting wires. Such heels can withstand a weight of a wearer because titanium alloy or aluminum alloy wires have very high tensile strength. Additionally, such shoe heels with very thin titanium or aluminum alloy wires can achieve exotic visual effect, sophisticated variation in design and style, high strength, durable quality, lightweight and corrosion resistance.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1F, a heel of a shoe according an embodiment comprises a first portion 100 configured to join an outsole of the shoe, a second portion 101 configured to support the shoe on the ground when the shoe is worn by a wearer, and a supporting structure 102 joining the first portion 100 to the second portion 101.

The supporting structure 102 may comprise one or more supporting wires 103. In an embodiment, the supporting structure 102 may comprise four supporting wires 103. The supporting wires 103 comprise one or more ends 104. At least one of the supporting wires 103 directly joins the first portion 100 and at least one of the supporting wires 103 directly joins the second portion 101. In an embodiment, each supporting wire 103 of the supporting structure 102 comprises an end 104 directly joined to the first portion 100, and another end 104 directly joined to the second portion 101. At least one of the supporting wires 103 comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof. At least one of the supporting wires 103 is not in direct contact with any other of the supporting wires 103 at any point. In an embodiment, all the supporting wires 103 are not in direct contact with any other of the supporting wires 103. The supporting structure 102 has a symmetry. In an embodiment, the symmetry is a reflection symmetry with respect to plane 110. Preferably, the first portion 100 comprises a loop. Preferably, the second portion 101 comprises a frustum. A first plurality of joining positions of the supporting wires 103 on the first portion 100 are essentially symmetrically distributed on the first portion 100. A second plurality of joining positions of the supporting wires 103 on the second portion 101 are essentially symmetrically distributed on the second portion 101.

In an embodiment, the heel may further comprise surface treatment or coating for color, finish, decoration, reflectivity, improved hardness, resistance to damage and wear, or prevention of corrosion.

In an embodiment of the heel, the first portion 100, the second portion 101 and the supporting structure 102 are welded together.

In an embodiment of the heel, the titanium alloy is selected from a group consisting of Ti-6Al-2Nb-1Ta, Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V, Ti-6Al-4V and a combination thereof. In an embodiment of aforementioned heel, the aluminum alloy is selected from a group consisting of 2014 aluminum alloy, 2024 aluminum alloy, 2214 aluminum alloy, 2618 aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum alloy, 7175 aluminum alloy and a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the tensile strength of the titanium alloy or aluminum alloy exceeds 500 MPa.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a shoe comprising the heel according to aforementioned embodiment as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows an explosion view of aforementioned shoe comprising a heel 302. As shown in FIG. 4, the shoe further comprises a shoe upper 300, an outsole 301 secured to the shoe upper 300 and joined to the heel 302, and an innersole 303 layered above the outsole 301.

As shown in FIG. 2A to 2F, a heel of a shoe according an embodiment comprises a first portion 200 configured to join an outsole of the shoe, a second portion 201 configured to support the shoe on the ground when the shoe is worn by a wearer, and a supporting structure 202 joining the first portion 200 to the second portion 201. The supporting structure 202 may comprise one or more supporting wires 203. In an embodiment, the supporting structure may comprise four supporting wires 203. The supporting wires 203 comprise ends 204. Preferably, the supporting wires 203 directly join the first portion 200 and the second portion 201 through the ends 204. At least one of the supporting wires 203 comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof. At least one portion of at least one of the supporting wires 203 directly joins another portion of the at least one of the supporting wires 203. In an embodiment, the supporting wires 203 are intertwined at middle portions to form a section of twisted wires. The supporting structure 202 has a symmetry. In an embodiment, the symmetry is a reflection symmetry with respect to plane 210. Preferably, the first portion 200 comprises a loop. Preferably, the second portion 201 comprises a round plate. In an embodiment, a first plurality of joining positions of the supporting wires 203 on the first portion 200 are essentially symmetrically distributed on the first portion 200. A second plurality of joining positions of the supporting wires 203 on the second portion 201 are essentially symmetrically distributed on the second portion 201.

In an embodiment, aforementioned heel may further comprise surface treatment or coating for color, finish, decoration, reflectivity, improved hardness, resistance to damage and wear, or prevention of corrosion.

In an embodiment of aforementioned heel, the first portion 200, the second portion 201 and the supporting structure 202 are welded together.

In an embodiment of aforementioned heel, the titanium alloy is selected from a group consisting of Ti-6Al-2Nb-1Ta, Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V, Ti-6Al-4V and a combination thereof. In an embodiment of aforementioned heel, the aluminum alloy is selected from a group consisting of 2014 aluminum alloy, 2024 aluminum alloy, 2214 aluminum alloy, 2618 aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum alloy, 7175 aluminum alloy and a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the tensile strength of the titanium alloy or aluminum alloy exceeds 500 MPa.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a shoe comprising the heel according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2F. FIG. 6 shows an explosion view of the shoe depicted in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the shoe further comprises a shoe upper 400, an outsole 401 secured to the shoe upper 400 joined to the heel 402, and an innersole 403 layered above the outsole 401.

While the heel and the shoe are described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heel of a shoe, comprising a first portion configured to join an outsole of the shoe, a second portion configured to support the shoe on the ground when the shoe is worn by a wearer, and a supporting structure joining the first portion to the second portion, the supporting structure comprising one or more supporting wires; wherein the one or more supporting wires comprise one or more ends; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the first portion and at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins the second portion; wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof.
 2. The heel of claim 1, wherein the titanium alloy is selected from a group consisting of Ti-6Al-2Nb-1Ta, Ti-8Al-1Mo-1V, Ti-6Al-4V and a combination thereof.
 3. The heel of claim 1, wherein the aluminum alloy is selected from a group consisting of 2014 aluminum alloy, 2024 aluminum alloy, 2214 aluminum alloy, 2618 aluminum alloy, 7075 aluminum alloy, 7175 aluminum alloy and a combination thereof.
 4. The heel of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of at least one of the one or more wires directly joins another portion of the at least one of the one or more supporting wires.
 5. The heel of claim 1, wherein at least one portion of at least one of the one or more supporting wires directly joins another of the one or more supporting wires.
 6. The heel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires is not in direct contact with any other of the one or more supporting wires at any point.
 7. The heel of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more supporting wires does not directly contact the first portion or the second portion.
 8. The heel of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure has a symmetry.
 9. The heel of claim 8, wherein the symmetry is a reflection symmetry or a rotational symmetry.
 10. The heel of claim 1, wherein the first portion or the second portion comprises a material selected from a group consisting of titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and a combination thereof.
 11. The heel of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a loop, or a plate.
 12. The heel of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a loop, a frustum or a plate.
 13. The heel of claim 1, wherein a plurality of supporting wires of the supporting structure directly join with the first portion at a first plurality of joining positions, and directly join with the second portion at a second plurality of joining positions.
 14. The heel of claim 13, wherein the first plurality of joining positions are essentially symmetrically distributed on the first portion; wherein the second plurality of joining positions are essentially symmetrically distributed on the second portion.
 15. The heel of claim 1, wherein a first supporting wire and a second supporting wire of the one or more supporting wires are intertwined.
 16. The heel of claim 1, wherein a diameter of one of the one or more supporting wires is substantially uniform.
 17. The heel of claim 1, wherein a diameter of each of the one or more supporting wires is substantially uniform.
 18. The heel of claim 1, wherein the supporting structure is a hollow structure.
 19. The heel of claim 1, wherein a contour of the supporting structure of the one or more supporting wires of the heel is in the shape of a kitten heel, a stiletto heels, a spool heels, a wedge heels or a platform heel.
 20. A shoe comprising the heel of claim 1, wherein the shoe further comprises a shoe upper, an outsole secured to the shoe upper and joined to the heel, an innersole layered above the outsole. 